Cool Art Show 2010

Looking for a way to beat the hot days of summer?  Tired of the rain?  Well, the Cool Art Show in St. Petersburg, Florida may just be what you are looking for.   On the weekend of July 17-18th, the historic Coliseum will be hosting the show which features a variety of artists from around town, including one of my personal favorites, Coralette Damme.

Damme, a.k.a. The Crafty Hag, will be showing off all of her freshest creations.  This artist/printmaker says it will be her first year at the show, and is very excited to participate.  Damme’s art pieces are unique, original and fantastically funky.  I especially have a fondness for her wicked little Halloween designs, many of which I have on display in my home year round.  Damme is an animal lover, which is definitely reflected in her creations.  Her work includes everything from dogs to jellyfish.  Ever wondered what a cat would look like dressed in mummy wrappings?  Well, Damme can show you!  This talented artist offers a little something for everyone.

So, if you are looking for a fun and cool way of spending a weekend in July, be sure to stop by the Cool Art Show.  The A/C will be blowing, and parking and admission are both free.  So, come out to browse, buy and make some new friends. It’s a “can’t miss” event!

For more info on the show, go to http://coolartshow.com/

The Coliseum is located at 535 4th Ave. North in St. Petersburg

Coralette Damme will be at booth 59.  You can also visit her at www.craftyhag.com, craftyhag.etsy.com, craftyhag on Flickr, myspace.com/craftyhag, http://twitter.com/craftyhag, or on Facebook.

Fred Shafer – Writing Music For The Ages

Fred Shafer has been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Otis Redding, Joe Cocker & Jimi Hendrix. Not because he looks or sounds like any of them, but because his talent is as unique and powerful as these legends. It is because he shares something truly special with them, something so rare that you can’t buy it or manufacture it. It’s truth. He exudes it. His inspired and acclaimed performances bleed with utter sincerity.

Every song, every word he sings is delivered with unparalleled passion and heartfelt honesty. Shafer gives you everything he has, every moment. He is no stranger to success in the music industry, having repeatedly defeated the odds that this highly competitive industry breeds, because he eats, sleeps and breathes his music. His relentless work ethic and never give up attitude only adds depth to his world-class talent.

This year, Fred Shafer has reached a major milestone as he finished his first full-length solo album, “Resistor”, which will be released October 5, 2010 through Northview Media/ Intensity Entertainment. The album was coproduced with Jamey Perrenot (Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rimes, Paul Brant) and mixed by Rob Burrell (Michael W. Smith). “Resistor” is an eclectic work, which includes songs Shafer wrote last year while on tour, as well as songs co-written with Nashville songwriters including Autumn McEntire. Being a singer/songwriter (an endangered species in the music industry today), Shafer is able to combine his in-demand, timeless songwriting with heartfelt emotion and tireless conviction.

Standout tracks include first single, “Letting You Go”, “Why You’re Gone,” “Hello,” “Into the Ground”, “Mama Said” and “Gone”. They tell the story of trials and tribulations, love and hope, heartache and maturity; feelings most of us are accustomed to in our own lives. In these songs, Shafer is able to give us hope and comfort in knowing we’re not alone and we are not the only ones going through these troubled times in our lives. Having a song that describes what we’re going through or allows us an insight to our feelings, and that escape and understanding is a medicine far better than any drug you can take. Shafer’s passionate sincerity and soulful performance are both comforting and intoxicating. “Letting You Go,” the current single off the album, has gained some incredible success charting six times on commercial radio, quickly gaining on his previous mark with “All On Me”, reaching #1 on two stations across the country. In addition, Shafer’s music has already appeared in FX’s The Shield and the Ultimate Fighting Championship as well as in the full-length film The Station Agent by Miramax. He has even been featured in Vanity Fair, Hit Parader and Billboard magazines.

Shafer continually undertakes a grueling 250 show per year schedule, Coast to Coast and abroad. “I consider it an honor and blessing to be able to play my guitar for a living, helping those who work hard each day relax and have something to escape in,” explains the talented musician. Some of these tours include playing LIVE for the US Armed Forces in battle stricken countries across the world. Shafer just returned from Asia where he performed in China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Diego Garcia. There he became the FIRST ARTIST EVER to perform at the US Embassy in China. He says, “One of my biggest memories of this trip was when I played in South Korea. South Korea and North Korea were at a military readiness standstill over the sinking of a USFK ship. It was amazing to be in the area when that happened; like being in the center of a historic moment filled with tension”. When asked why he decides to put himself in these positions he proudly replies, “When I was born with Polycystic Kidney Disease, they removed my left kidney. Though all the men in my family are in, or were in the Armed Forces, my kidney condition prevented me from joining the Armed Forces. So I serve my country and lend a hand the best way I can, by bringing a little piece of home to the troops stationed abroad and some good old fashioned Rock n’ Soul!” Shafer will be returning to Asia in the fallof 2010 with another invitation from the Armed Forces; an invitation he is VERY proud to accept.

Shafer’s current tour will start in July and will take him through the Midwest US making stops in Ohio, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Iowa before starting heading to the southern US to hit Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and more. Check out www.fredshafer.com for the exact dates and times of his performances.

Pick up your copy of “Resistor”(Northview Media/Intensity Entertainment) available now at www.fredshafer.com, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and available in stores October 5th. See you at the show!